Distribution of ground dwelling spider genera among berseem crop at Okara district, Pakistan

J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online) Vol. 8, No. 2, p. 104-113, 2016 http://www.innspub.net RESEARCH PAPER

OPEN ACCESS

Distribution of ground dwelling spider genera among berseem crop at Okara district, Pakistan Muhammad Arshad Rana1*, Munaza Shabnam2, Naureen Rana3, Tayyba Sultana4, Salma Sultana4, Sobia Kanwal3, Imran Ahmad4 1

Department of Zoology, Govt. Postgraduate College Okara, Pakistan

2

Department of Biology, Govt. Postgraduate College for Women Sahiwal, Pakistan

3

Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, UAF, Pakistan

4

Department of Zoology, Govt. College University Faisalabad, Pakistan Article published on February 11, 2016

Key words: Ground dwelling, Spider, Pitfall, Population, Transect.

Abstract The present study was designed to record the distribution of ground dwelling spider genera among berseem crop at Okara district. Sampling was made from Trifolium crop on fortnight basis through pitfall traps. Equal number of traps were placed in three rows e.g. along the boundary, middle of the field and centre of the field. Each trap was filled with mixture solution of alcohol and glycerin (70:30%) along with few drops of kerosene oil. After 5 days interval sample traps was collected and spider specimens were washed with distilled water and permanently stored in labeled glass vials, and brought into the Pest Control Laboratory, Departmentof Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Thereafter, each spider specimen was identified according to the taxonomic material and internet source. Identified data was analyzed statistically to quantify their spatial distribution. Overall maximum spatial distribution of spider population was documented in middle transect than boundary and centre of the berseem crop. It was also observed that temperature, humidity, vegetation and prey availability were the major factors that effecting the spider population. Population variations were recorded during the months of February, March and April in 2015, due to rise of temperature, decrease of humidity and availability of prey. It was concluded that despite to cosmopolitan nature, spiders have some correlation with suitable local conditions or habitat. More over, spiders are cost effective, functionally significant and play a key role in regulating decomposer population. *Corresponding

Author: Muhammad Arshad Rana  marshadrana719@gmail.com

104 | Rana et al.

J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 Introduction

crops

and

consequently

Fodder crops are particularly refer to food for animals

ecosystems.

or live-stock. They comprise of straw, hay, pelleted

conserve the diversity of natural enemies (including

feed, silage, oils, legumes and sprouted grains.

spiders) of arthropod pest

Currently in Pakistan, various fodder crops are

(Douglas et al., 2000).

By

habitat

safeguard management.

the We

agrocan

cultivated over 15 million hectares with 52 million ton annual

fodder

production

(Anonymous,

2013).

Spider’s abundance and diversity vary in different

However, suitable rainfall and temperature range can

agro-ecosystems and they have temporo-spatial

enhance the present outcomes (Hussain et al., 2010).

distribution in all agricultural lands to effectively

Because, in many parts of Pakistan, there is abrupt

destruct the insect pest population (Seyfulina and

shortage of fodder for live-stock, and also the

Tshernyshev, 2001; Seyfulina, 2003). Their breeding

available fodder is of poor quality.

success is directly related to amount of precipitation which act as potential factors to affect the abundance

The farmers are facing a lot of problems to get

and species richness (Thomas et al., 2014). They are

maximum forage yield to meet the feed requirements.

most important arthropods for economic point of

Improved fodder varieties along with control of

view playing role as biological control agent and their

damage by invading insect pest can overcome the

adaptation towards different habitats (Kazim et al.,

situation. In this context, berseem provides valuable

2014).

supplemental food to live-stock community e.g. nitrogen,

vitamins.

Keeping in view the importance of spider densities

Consequently, it increase the availability of nutrients

energy,

and role of berseem in live-stock sector, the present

for

study was designed to record the population

maintenance

minerals and

ideal

and

production

status.

(Douglas et al., 2000).

dynamics and spatial distribution of ground dwelling spider families and genea among berseem crop at

However, fodder crops especially, berseem provide

Okara district.

more than 80% feeding to live-stock from October to April (Younas and Yaqoob, 2005). But, its production

Materials and methods

is low due to serious insect damage. Berseem

Study area

(Trifolium alexandrinum) is important Rabi legume

The present study was designed to record spatial

grown for green fodder. It is able to prepare about

distribution of ground dwelling spiders among

seven cuts of forages. (Khalil and Jan, 2000).

berseem crop at Okara district. Because information about their distribution in any agro-ecosystem was

To enhance the yield, control of insect pests is a major

pre-requisite to formulate any strategy to use them

issue and use of spiders to control these insect pests is

for bio-control purposes.

of profound importance. Spiders have globally more than 40,000 identified species (Platnick, 2012). They

Presently, these informations were recorded from

have

highly

Okara district. Trifolium crop was cultivated in one

diversified terrestrial predator especially in agro-

acre rectangular field. The sampling field was

ecosystems (Wise, 1993).

surrounded by wheat fields from two sides, where as

remarkable

abundance

and

are

on third side, it was surrounded by a Trifolium and They can play a pivotal role in keeping insect and pest

Mustard field.

populations in check and balance and they are also serve as food for birds, snakes, fish and other animals.

Okara district

They eat insects and bugs which destroy different

Okara district is situated in Punjab province at 30,

105 | Rana et al.

J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 8081

(304829.160�N)

latitude

and

73,

4458

reference material. The field of berseem was sampled

(732644.880�E) longitude. This district is bounded

after 5 days intervals right from the pre-harvest stage.

on the East by Kasur district, Sahiwal and Pakpattan

More over, minimum and maximum temperature and

districts on the West, Sheikhupura and Faisalabad

humidity of area was also recorded.

districts on the North and Bahawalnagar district on the South. The Indian border also lies on the South-

Preservation

Eastern side of the district. Okara district has a total

All traps were taken to Pest Control Laboratory,

area of 4,377 square kilometres and comprises of

Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries,

three tehsils i.e. Okara, Depalpur and Renala Khurd.

University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Where the specimens were washed with xylene and preserved

Climate

in 95% ethanol containing few drops of glycerin.

The climate of the Okara district is hot in summer and

Specimens were preserved separately in small glass

cold in winter. May and June are hottest months and

vials indicating with trap number and the date of

January is the coldest one.Temperature ranges

capture.

between 36-440C in summer and 2-280C in winter.

Soil of the district is loamy and sandy loamy with

Identification

annual rainfall up to 200 mm.

The collected samples were identified with the aid of naked

eye,

magnifying

glass

and

under

the

Sampling design and techniques

microscope. All the specimens were identified up to

The sampling was carried out from October, 2014

species level according to the taxonomic and

through April, 2015 to collect the ground dwelling

reference material (Tikader and Malhotra (1982),

spider fauna in berseem crop.Total thirty traps were

Tikader and Biswas (1981), Barrion and Litsinger

set in the field for five successive days. The two

(1995), Zhu et al. (2003), Platnick (2012), other

successive traps were at equal distance from each

relevant literature and internet source.

other and the distance from outer boundary of the field was 5m. Pitfall traps were 12cm long glass jars

Statistical analysis

with 6cm (diameter) wide mouths. Each trap

Thereafter, all the identified specimens were arranged

contained 150 ml of 70% ethyl alcohol and a small

in table form according to their morphological

amount of kerosene oil which served as preservative

characters e.g. family, genus. To determine the

and killing agent.Ten pitfall traps were laid along

various aspects of diversity, Shannon Diversity Index

each transect line i.e. boundary, middle and centre at

was used (Magurran, 1988). Analysis of Variance was

an equal interval from each other.

made to compare the population means between three transects, i.e. Boundary, middle and centre of

Collection of data

berseem crop. The richness, diversity and evenness

For berseem crop, ideal field measuring 7200 sq. ft.

indices were computed by using the Programme

were selected to observe the spatial distribution of

SPDIVERS.BAS.

ground dwelling spiders through pitfall trap method.

However, trapping was made by three layers inside

Results

the field radius wise to observe the infestation along

The present study was conducted to highlight the

the entire field. Data was collected fortnightly and

spatial distribution of ground dwelling spiders among

collected specimens were brought into the Pest

berseem crop at Okara district. A total number of 463

Control Laboratory, Departmentof Zoology, Wildlife

specimen pertaining to 25 genera and 7 families

and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.

among berseem crop were identified from Okara

All the specimens were identified according to the

district (Table 1).

106 | Rana et al.

J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 Table 1. The number of families, specimen and genera recorded from berseem field at Okara district.

Sr.No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total

Families Araneidae Clubionidae Gnaphosidae Linyphiidae Lycosidae Salticidae Thomisidea 7

No. of Specimen 34 20 122 63 165 37 22 463

No. of Genera 4 1 5 3 5 4 3 25

Table 2. Monthly record of spider families captured from berseem crop at Okara district.

Families Araneidae Clubionidae Gnaphosidae Linyphiidae Lycosidae Salticidae Thomisidea Grand Total

No.of spiders in Nov-14 2 0 9 5 11 3 3 33

No.of spiders in Dec-14 2 0 3 3 4 1 1 14

No.of spiders in Jan-15 0 0 1 3 3 0 1 8

No.of spiders in Feb-15 4 3 18 7 25 8 3 68

No.of spiders in Mar-15 9 5 31 14 50 10 6 125

No.of spiders in Apr-15 17 12 60 31 72 15 8 215

Total No. of spiders 34 20 122 63 165 37 22 463

Population variations among families in berseem

by Flat bellied ground spiders – family Gnaphosidae

crop

(N = 122), Sheat weaver spiders – family Linyphiidae

Data presented in Table 2, is pertaining to family’s

(N = 63), Jumping spiders – family Salticidae (N =

wise comparison of spiders’ population recorded from

37), Orb-weaver spiders – family Araneidae (N = 34),

two fodder crops during the study. In Berseem crop,

Crab spiders-- family--Thomisidea (N = 22) and Sac

the population of wolf spiders – family Lycosidae was

spiders-- family—Clubionidae (N = 21) respectively.

recorded with highest population (N = 165), followed Table 3. Population variations of spider genera among berseem field at Okara district.

Family Araneidae

Clubionidae Gnaphosidae

Linyphiidae

Lycosidae

Salticidae

Thomisidea

Genera Araneus Clerck, 1757 Gea C. L. Koch, 1843 Neoscona Simon, 1864 Cyclosa Menge, 1866 Clubiona latreille,1804 Drassodes Gnaphosa Latreille, 1804 Scotophaeus Simon, 1893 Zelotes Gistel, 1848 Micaria Westring, 1851 Tapinocyboides Wiehle, 1960 Tchatkalophantes Tanasevitch, 2001 Tiso Simon, 1884 Evippa Simon, 1882 Hogna Simon,1885 Lycosa Latreille, 1804 Pardosa C. L. Koch, 1847 Trochosa C. L. Koch, 1847 Myrmarachne MacLeay, 1839 Phlegra Simon, 1876 Plexippus C. L. Koch, 1846 Sitticus Simon, 1901 Runcinia Simon, 1875 Thomisus Walckenaer, 1805 Xysticus Grand Total

Nov-14 1 0 1 0 0 4 2 2 1 0 1 2 2 5 1 3 2 0 2 1 0 1 1 1 33

Dec-14 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 14

107 | Rana et al.

Jan-15 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 8

Feb-15 3 0 1 0 3 8 3 3 4 0 2 3 2 14 1 8 2 0 2 2 1 3 3 0 68

Mar-15 2 2 3 2 5 12 6 5 6 2 5 4 5 21 2 18 8 1 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 125

Apr-15 5 4 3 5 12 20 11 10 14 5 16 8 7 36 3 20 12 1 5 4 3 3 2 4 2 215

Total 11 8 8 7 20 47 22 20 26 7 25 20 18 79 8 50 26 2 13 9 7 8 7 10 5 463

J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 The maximum population of wolf spiders – family

family Thomisidea and

Lycosidae was recorded due to that they were strictly

Clubionidae was recorded from berseem field.Their

ground dwelling spiders. Second and third highest

low population was recorded due to that they live in

population recorded were of

Flat bellied ground

leaf litter and shaddy areas. The study area was

spiders – family Gnaphosidae and Sheat weaver

surrounded by wheat crops from north and east side

spiders – family Linyphiidae respectively due to the

and mustard crop from west side. Whole cultivated

reason that they were also ground living and live in

area was comprised of crop land and there was no

high vegetation density,

therefore

Sac

spiders -- family

the existing

shaddy tree near the study area. Another reason for

environment was supportive for them. However

their least collection was that, they were foliage

minimum population of identified spiders in case of

spiders and pitfall method was applied for the

Jumping spiders – family Salticidae followed by Orb-

collection of spiders.

weaver spiders – family Araneidae, Crab spiders-Table 4. Number of genera (S), total number of samples (N), Shannon diversity index, Lambda value and Evenness for transect-wise monthly data of berseem crop for different genera.

Site

Month

S

N

H' Shannon

Lambda

Evenness

Dominance

Boundary

Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.

11 6 3 15 19 25 9 5 5 18 25 23 5 2 4 11 16

17 6 3 24 45 73 12 5 5 40 66 103 5 2 4 14 39

2.2624 1.7918 1.0986 2.5209 2.6839 2.9098 2.0947 1.6094 1.6094 2.6485 2.8543 2.8428 1.6094 0.6932 1.3863 2.3420 2.4830

0.1211 0.1667 0.3333 0.0972 0.0884 0.0696 0.1389 0.2000 0.2000 0.0938 0.0804 0.0755 0.2000 0.5000 0.2500 0.1020 0.1059

0.9435 1.0000 1.0000 0.9309 0.9115 0.9040 0.9534 1.0000 1.0000 0.9163 0.8868 0.9067 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 0.9767 0.8956

0.0565 0.000 0.000 0.0691 0.0885 0.096 0.0466 0.000 0.000 0.0837 0.1132 0.0933 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.0233 0.1044

Middle

Center

Where

S = Number of species

N = Total number of samples (sum).

Population variations among genera in berseem

(N=7), Plexipus (N=7), Runcinia (N=7), Xysticus

crop

(N=5), and Trochosa (N=2) respectively.

Data presented in Table 3, is regarding the comparison of spider’s population among genera

Least population was recorded in case of genus

recorded in berseem field during the study. Out of 25

Cyclosa, Micaria, plexipus, Runcinia, Xysticus, and

genera, maximum population of identified genera was

Trochosa respectively. Because they were ground

recorded in case of genus Evapa (N=79) followed by

dwelling spiders and live in shelter places while in

Lycosa (N=50) and Drassodes (N=47) respectively.

berseem field, fodder was cut down again and again

Minimum population of identified spider genera was

that’s why their minimum population was recorded.

recorded in case of genus Cyclosa (N=7), Micaria

108 | Rana et al.

J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 Table 5. Number of genera(S), total number of samples(N), Shannon diversity index, Lambda value, Evenness and dominance for transect-wise monthly record of berseem crop for different genera.

Month

S

N

H Shannon

Lambda

Evenness

Dominance

November

18

33

2.7327

0.0762

0.9455

0.0545

December

11

14

2.342

0.102

0.9767

0.0233

January

7

8

1.9062

0.1563

0.9796

0.0204

February

19

68

2.6641

0.0921

0.9048

0.0952

March

25

125

2.8624

0.0788

0.8893

0.1107

April

25

215

2.8859

0.0728

0.8966

0.1034

Spatial diversity of spider genera in berseem

dominance 0.1132 and at centre, maximum diversity

cropData presented in Tabl 4, is pertaining the month

2.3420,

wise comparison of diversity indices among species at

0.0233.During

three trasects i.e. boundary, middle and centre of the

diversity (H) at boundary recorded was 2.9098,

berseem crop. During the month of November

eveness 0.9040 and dominance was 0.096 when

maximum diversity (H) at boundary recorded was

compared with middle, maximum diversity was

2.2624, eveness 0.9435 and dominance was 0.0565

2.8428, eveness 0.9067, and dominance 0.0933 and

when compared with middle, maximum diversity was

at centre, maximum diversity 2.4830, eveness 0.8956

2.0947, eveness 0.9534, and dominance 0.0466. and

and dominance 0.1044. Overall maximum diversity

at centre, maximum diversity 1.6094, eveness 1.0000

(H�) recorded in the month of April at the boundary

and

of

was 2.9098, eveness 0.9040 and dominance was

December maximum diversity (H) at boundary

0.096 respectively, when compared with boundary

recorded was 1.7918, eveness 1.0000 and dominance

and centre of the berseem crop.

dominance

0.0000.During

the

month

eveness the

0.9767 month

and of

dominance

April,

maximum

was 0.0000, when compared with middle, maximum diversity

was

1.6094,

eveness

1.0000,

and

Overall comparison of diversity indices among

dominance 0.000. and at centre, maximum diversity

berseem crop

0.6932,

dominance

Data presented in Table 5, is pertaining the month

0.0000.During the month of January maximum

wise comparison of diversity indices among genera

diversity (H) at boundary recorded was 1.0986,

from Berseem crop. Overall genera wise maximum

eveness 1.0000 and dominance was 0.0000 when

diversity (H�) recorded in Berseem crop during the

compared with middle, maximum diversity was

month of November was 3.7327, evenness 0.9455 and

1.6094, eveness 1.0000, and dominance 0.000. and

dominance 0.0545 respectively. During the month of

no diversity was recorded in centre.During the month

December maximum diversity 2.3420, evenness

of February maximum diversity (H) at boundary

0.9767 and dominance 0.0233 was recorded. During

recorded was 2.5209, eveness 0.9309 and dominance

the month of January maximum diversity 1.9062,

was 0.0691 when compared with middle, maximum

evenness

diversity was 2.6485, eveness 0.9163, and dominance

recorded. During the month of February maximum

0.0837. and at centre, maximum diversity 1.3863,

diversity 2.6641, evenness 0.9048 and dominance

eveness 1.0000 and dominance 0.0000.During the

0.0952 was recorded. During the month of March

month of March maximum diversity ( H�) at

maximum diversity 2.8624, evenness 0.8893 and

boundary recorded was 2.6839, eveness 0.9115 and

dominance 0.1107 was recorded. During the month of

dominance was 0.0885 when compared with middle,

April maximum diversity 2.8859, evenness 0.8966

maximum diversity was 2.8543, eveness 0.8868, and

and

eveness

1.0000

and

109 | Rana et al.

0.9796

dominance

and

dominance

0.1034

was

0.0204

was

recorded.

J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 Table 6. Analysis of variance table for transect-wise abundance of different genera for different crops.

Source of variation

Degrees

of

Sum of squares

Mean squares

F-value

freedom Months

5

16332.6

3266.51

20.98**

Crop

1

49.0

49.00

0.31NS

Transect

2

4423.7

2211.86

14.20**

Crop x Transect

2

24.5

12.25

0.08NS

Error

25

3893.1

155.72

Total

35

24722.9

NS = Non-significant (P>0.05); * = Significant (P<0.05); ** = Highly significant (P<0.01).

Month wise mean ± SE. Month

Mean ± SE

November-14

11.50±3.03

CD

December-14

4.00±0.82

D

January-15

2.33±0.71

D

February-15

26.33±6.73

C

March-15

42.33±9.22

B

April-15

60.83±11.79

A

Means sharing similar letters are statistically non-significant (P>0.05).

Crops x Transect interaction mean ± SE. Transect

Berseem Crop Mean ± SE

Boundary

28.00

± 10.89A

Middle

38.50

± 16.19A

Center

10.67

± 6.00B

Mean

25.72

± 6.97A

Means sharing similar letter in a row or in a column are statistically non-significant (P>0.05).

Maximum diversity 2.8859 was recorded during the month

of

April

.while

evenness

0.9796,

Clubionidae 4% respectively.

and

dominance 0.1107 were recoded during the month of

Ecological distribution

January and March respectively.

Temperature of the country is increasing day by day due to global warming. Consequently, the change in

Relative abundance

temperature

Pie graph (Fig. 1) represent the relative abundance of

environment. Due to change of temperature and

identified spider families in berseem crop at Okara

humidity, imbalanece the relation ship between

district.

was

organism and the environment (Table 7). This issue

recorded in case of family Lycosidae 36% followed by

was observed on scientific basis among ground

Gnaphosidae 26% and Lyniphiidae 14%. Minimum

dwelling spiders to record the effect of ecological

abundance of spiders was recorded in family

changes. It was recorded that population of spiders

Araneidae 7% followed by Thomisidae 5% and

was increased with the increase in temperature and

Maximum

abundance

of

spiders

110 | Rana et al.

also

alter

the

humidity

of

the

J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 decreasing tendency was recorded in case of

against temperatures that are prohibitively low for

humidity. Because, breeding season of spiders started

reproduction. From these results, it was concluded

during April and peaks were recorded with the

that variations in population density were due to

increase in temperature. Temperature also affects the

effect of temperature, humidity, availability of prey,

body processes and egg development. They concluded

nature of crop rotation and pesticides uses instead of

that females may be able to protect themselves

ecological successions.

Table 7. Monthly average temperature (maximum and minimum), percentage of humidity recorded from Okara district.

Month

Average maximum temperature °C Average minimum temperature °C Average relative humidity

Novermber

27.2

8.7

85%

December

18.9

4.1

90.50%

January

16.6

4.1

93.00%

February

22.3

6.7

78.50%

March

25.1

10

77.00%

April

32.5

16.6

78.00%

Analysis of variance

upset the all ecological pyramids and natural cycling.

Data represented in Table 6, pertaining to Analysis of

Sustainable prey and predator status is limiting for

variance for transect-wise abundance of different

integrity of any natural system for long term

genera of spiders for berseem crop.The mean number

functions.

of spider genera in berseem at district Okara was statistically similar. The mean number of spider’s

Discussion

population month wise and transect wise were

Seasonal variations in spider population

statistically highly significant (P<0.01). The mean

Evidences regarding sesaonal variations of spider

number of spider’s population during the month of

population was underlined by considering the

December (4.00±0.82) and January (2.33±0.71) were

findings of previous researchers because field type,

statistically non significant (P>0.05), when compared

management pattern, agronomic operations and use

with mean number in November (11.50±3.03),

of pesticides, soil culture and floral structures

February (26.33±6.73), March (42.33±9.22) and

significantly affect spider’s population (Liljesthrom et

April

significan

al., 2002; Ahmad et al., 2005; Pradeep et al., 2015).

(P<0.05). Crop x Transect-wise mean number of

It was also estimated that start of breeding season,

spider genera in boundary (27.75±6.68) and middle

enhancment in growth and acceleration in maturity

(36.25±9.89)

significant

were proportional to temperature and humidity. As

(P>0.05) when compared with mean number in

temperature reached above 25°C, start in breeding

centre

(60.83±11.79)

were

(9.63±3.38)

was

statistically

statistically was

non

significant

occur and with decrease in temperature up to the

(P<0.05) among berseem crop. Overall mean number

statistically

same situation and increase in humidity, it comes to

of spider genera in berseem (25.72±6.97) crop was

the end. Findings of present study are in agreement

statistically non significant (P>0.05).

with Rajeswaran et al. (2005); Dippenaar-Schoeman (2006); Mushtaq et al. (2003 & 2005); Kazim et al.

It is obvious from the indices calculations that spiders

(2014), Pradeep et al. (2015).

abundance decrease with the decrease in temperature and increase in humidity. Resultantly, ecological

It is obvious from the indices calculations that

imbalance of prey verses predators develops which

spider’s abundance decrease with the decrease in

111 | Rana et al.

J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 temperature and increase in humidity. These findings

predator status is limiting for integrity of any natural

support the earlier reports of Mushtaq et al. (2003 &

system for long term functions. These findings are in

2005); Iqbal et al. (2009) and Pradeep et al. (2015).

same cotext as reported by Rajeswaran et al. (2005);

Resultantly, ecological imbalance of prey verses

Dippenaar-Schoeman (2006); Mushtaq et al. (2003 &

predators develops which upset the all ecological

2005); Kazim et al. (2014), Pradeep et al. (2015).

pyramids and natural cycling. Sustainable prey and

Fig. 1. Pie graph represent the relative abundance of spider families in berseem crop.

Conclusion

of South and South Asia. International Rice Research

Hence, it was concluded from the present work that

Institute Philphines.

despite to cosmopolitan nature, spiders have some correlation with suitable local conditions or habitat.

Dippenaar-Schoeman A. 2006. Spiders - The

However,

African Farmer's Best Friend. Science in Africa -

it

was

also

observed

that

spiderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

population in the same study region were also

Africa's First On-Line Science Magazine, 1-4 P.

effected by increase or decrease in temperature and humidity. So, there is necessity of future research for

Douglas AL, Stephen DW, Geoff MG. 2000.

the proper use of spider fauna as biological control

Habitat management to conserve natural enemies of

agent in IPM programmes.

arthropod pests in agriculture. Annu. Rev. Ent., 45: 175-201.

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